Four grown kids, five delightful grandchildren, constant, long-time partner. A retired academic, I've recently moved with my husband from a waterfront home on a very small (Canadian) West Coast island to a condo in the city (Vancouver). Still reading compulsively, though, and keen to discover what new priorities emerge, what interests persist in this urban life after 60!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Amitav Ghosh's River of Smoke

This year, I'm not going to put off recording titles until I get a chance to respond to them thoughtfully because I've learned that may never happen. Instead, I'll give a few quick impressions when I can, sometimes just note a title completed, and occasionally, if I find time, write a fuller response or transcribe a favourite passage. And I'm always thrilled to have a reader comment, perhaps beginning a dialogue about something we've both read.

So to begin as I mean to go on, I've already finished a few titles. First up, Amitav Ghosh's River of Smoke, second in a planned trilogy that began with his captivating Sea of Poppies. If you have a limited understanding of British imperialism, particularly in the East, these two novels will shock you. Even those who know something of British mercantile responsibility for widespread opium trade may be disturbed by the damages inflicted on India and China's people by a country so proud of its laws and morality. That might sound as if the books proselytize, but this is not the case. Likeable characters abound, and even the unlikeable ones entertain.

And perhaps the most entertaining character of all is the English language, if English it can still be called after it has been stretched into the most astounding, rollicking shapes by the influences of the Indian sub-continent and even of the more limited interactions with the Chinese.

River of Smoke picks up with several of the characters we met in Sea of Poppies, in landscapes and seascapes full of adventure and intrigue. This second novel in the series moves from India to China where opium merchants are hoping to wait out the Emperor's determination to halt the destructive trade. Cross-cultural friendships; political manoeuvering; sea-roving collectors-- including a cross-dressing orphaned young woman--seeking botanic treasures; hearty, exotic meals described to evoke drooling; a love story staged on a colourful houseboat; a wonderful series of letters drawing every possible sexual pun out of a friendship built around drawing and painting lessons. . . thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining while being admirably instructive. I'm looking forward to seeing where the third novel takes me. Meanwhile, if you get a chance, I'd recommend reading these first two.

We both liked it here, but my daughters (both strong readers) found it hard to get into as well. Audio might be a good approach to get caught up in the rhythm of the colourful language. It's well worth sticking with, but it's not a real page-turner 'til later. Let me know if you do get back into it.

Follow by Email

mater at a BIG library!

About Me

Trying my best to age contentedly, if not enthusiastically. I taught piano and music theory (history, harmony, etc.) while my four children were young and then completed my BA once my youngest was in school. Then my MA, then my PhD (in Canadian Literature) and taught happily at a small university from which I'm recently retired. All made possible by a supportive husband. We've just moved from a small West Coast island to an urban condo (Vancouver, BC). Three daughters, a son, their partners, and five delightful wee grandchildren. Life's full!